Pop star-linked man guilty on drug charges

The cousin of pop star Ricki-Lee Coulter's ex-husband has avoided prison after pleading guilty to producing a dangerous drug.

David Babbington, 43, was given a two-year prison sentence - wholly suspended for three years - in the Southport District Court on Friday.

He was also placed on probation for three years after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing tools used in the production of a dangerous drug.

The New Zealand-born builder, who is the cousin of Ms Coulter's former husband Jamie Babbington, used his connections to hire an electrician to install air-conditioning units at a residence and shed on a Gold Coast property in January 2014, the court heard.

Babbington's lawyers conceded their client knew the property was going to be used to grow cannabis for "commercial purposes".

He also then allowed the owners of the property to store tools for the cannabis operation at two storage sheds that were under Babbington's name.

Judge David Kent said the offences were "extremely serious" but just how long and how successful the cannabis operation had been was unknown.